Rye House Kart Raceway — Local services in East Hertfordshire

The best place ever! Honestly, The soft play is clean,very clean in fact. Me and my friend took our children, both with special needs and it happened to be good Friday! Our children wouldn't have had a clue about how the Easter egg hunt, much less the face painting, We went and spoke to the lovely Trish, ( who is a an absolute gem of a lady) who let us pay the normal price, and we just paid for our own food and drink. The children loved it and it wasn't packed in the soft play - I don't think they ever let it get that packed out (health and safety I assume) which is a massive bonus for us, as our little ones don't like all the running and screaming, The other children who were there were lovely, and helpful and polite - We have been twice and our children's confidence has grown in leaps and bounds... The place just gets better and better, The food isn't particularly over priced, The toilets are extremely clean, only niggle is the small one needs the seat replacing, also it is a shame that there isn't more toilets, given that it is a massive place to explore, but again, I have seen much worse in other places. The staff are very helpful and polite at all times, there isn't any laziness or "sitting around on phones" The music is low key which I am truly grateful for. I cannot speak for the Go Karts, or the outside play areas as I haven't been on or around them, but we did play the game just outside, where you put £1 in and the the water squirts out of the elephant trunk, and you aim it at what aniaml you want and it all makes animal noises! That was great fun, our little ones loved it. We have yet to try the trampolines, and slides and play areas - as the weather wasn't very warm. The seating is more than adequate, they are comfortable and clean, and in extremely good condition. There are a lot of toys for little ones to play with - which is brilliant! There are a few other things that you pay for like the aforementioned elephant water squirter. A few ride-ons etc. Honestly, if you are looking for a friendly relaxed and brilliant atmosphere with attentive friendly staff, exceptionally clean.. then honestly , look no further. The only downside is I don't live next door to it. As if you don't drive, it can look a bit higgledy piggledy to get to. I have been extremely lucky that my friend has driven us there on both occasions, even she said it can be a bit confusing if you aren't a hundred percent sure where you are going. I am seriously thinking of buying a yearly membership for my little boy who is 4, as it is just so brilliant and he loves it, and given he is being assessed for Autism, and doesn't like big places and loud noises.. .He absolutely loves Rye House - and if he loves it.. I know it lives up to expectations. For my sons 4th birthday - There was no way I could have booked a party, he would have found it to overwhelming- So instead I booked two tickets, and added a biscuit tray and cake tray and a birthday cake, and a hot meal each for him and his friend, along with juice for two hours and it was brilliant - They had their own little tea party, and as it was early (10.30am) so it was pretty quiet and they had a great time together. So to Trish and the team.... A massive thank you, and you...

Went for the trial day. One 20 minute session, it was pouring with rain before hand so conditions were not ideal for someone who had never been in a pro-kart before. Staff were friendly and helpful overall.

The first briefing was standard, went through procedure and safety thoroughly and all kit was provided.

The session its self was good overall despite many of the 17, mixed ability, drivers spinning off- in which case Marshalls were quick to aid any of those who needed it.

However the final briefing was not what I expected. The staff member spent 20 minutes attempting to sell a season pass to many first time drivers at the track, rather than going over the session itself. He also made a sexist remark about the men going to the track to get away from their wives. My sister and I, (the only two females at that session) rolled our eyes at this; we were called out by the staff member for doing so. He then proceeded to give out papers with each drivers laptimes and place in the race, in order of last to first. I personally disagreed with this, as many first time drivers were competing with skilled drivers and were ultimately named and shamed for placing low.

Despite this, it was still a somewhat good experience for £15. But I wouldnt jump to race here again.

Personally, Raleigh karting is better value and more fun, if you're not looking to go into...

Disappointing is how I would sum up Rye House. After all of the hype I've heard, it didn't deliver. This is the first time we've been (we are my two sons and I, who are 14 & 13 respectively, and we all Kart regulalry to a good standard). There weren't any obvious sign posts on the roads near to the circuit. When we arrived, the communication wasn't great from the staff with regards to where to go and what was happening and when. The format of the day was a qualifier, then a heat race and then final. It was chaotic at the start of one of the heat races because the staff didn't call the drivers to the grid in their race order. There was also a massive disparity in the performance of the karts. I appreciate that is the luck of the draw with corporate karts, but my eldest who is a good driver (he had he 2nd fastest qualifying time out of 33 drivers) had kart 8 for the qualifier and heat race and turned a 1:00.04. He only managed a 1:02.09 in the race in Kart 5. It was also drier during the race because it stopped raining after his qualifier. I was also surprised not to see blue flags being waved. My eldest lapped quiet a few people during the heat race, and almost got taken out by s back marker! We are used to driving at Teamsport in Harlow and Youngstarz at Red Lodge, where the karts are all within 0.5 seconds of each other. The organisation is...